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Lake County News
Linda Pedersen Lake County Board Member and Forest Preserve Commissioner |
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| Linda Pedersen, District 1 Representative | |
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (847)445-5504(cell) .
If you know others that would like the updates, please forward this on.
If you have been forwarded this, I would like to be able to automatically send these updates to you. Please click join our mailing list above. My email is lpedersen@lakecountyil.gov
Sincerely,
Linda Pedersen
Lake County Board
District 1 Representative |
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Lake County Roads Now Open |
This week's blizzard has caused significant problems across Lake County. Most of the snow has moved out of Lake County, and winds have decreased, but temperatures are expected to drop rapidly this evening. Lake County Board Chairman David Stolman has proclaimed a State of Disaster in Lake County, and officials are asking all residents to avoid driving through 5:00 p.m. today. The Lake County Division of Transportation reports that the county road network is officially open, but is asking that all unnecessary travel be postponed until after 5:00 p.m. this evening. Many roads and streets remain snow-covered and impassable, with drifts of four to six feet common around the county. The most accurate road closure information is available at www.lakecountypassage.com.
Various county, township, and municipal agencies and non-governmental organizations have been working collaboratively around the clock to ensure the safety of people throughout the county. In several locations across the county, multiple vehicles became stranded on or along roads and were subsequently buried by drifting snow. Rescuers have used a combination of four-wheel drive vehicles, heavy construction equipment, specialty fire vehicles, snow plows, and snowmobiles to find and remove people trapped in their vehicles, and more than 200 people have been moved to warmth and safety in several temporary shelter facilities. Fire, EMS, and Township personnel along with Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Metropolitan Emergency Support Services (MESS) volunteers are providing support in these shelters, including canteen services.
Plow trucks and heavy equipment from various departments and agencies are working diligently to clear primary roads and will then move to secondary routes and streets. Multiple plow trucks, squads, and other response vehicles also became trapped during the height of the storm, and recovery of that equipment is still underway. Stranded vehicles are being towed off of roads by contract towing companies with coordination through the Sheriff's Office, so that roads can be plowed and normal traffic flow can be restored.
Snow reports from across Lake County average between nineteen and twenty inches of snow, and wind gusts of over fifty miles per hour were reported. No significant precipitation is expected for the next several days, but bitterly cold temperatures and steady wind will lead to wind chills colder than twenty-five degrees below zero tonight.
While little or no additional snow is forecast to fall, the storm will continue to present a health risk to people in and around Lake County. According to the National Weather Service, during a similar Chicago-area blizzard in 1999, more than forty people died from heart attacks or overexertion related to shoveling the very deep snow. In addition, as temperatures drop tonight, people working outside are also subject to frostbite and hypothermia.
We encourage all citizens to be patient as our communities dig out from the blizzard. Check on friends and neighbors to make sure they're okay, and take your time when clearing your driveway and sidewalk. Be cautious on roads and streets, paying particular attention to sightlines that may be restricted by large snowbanks.
Lake County will continue to support our many partner communities, organizations, and businesses across the area. Additional information will be provided Thursday afternoon.
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Post-Storm Emergency Information |
Portions of Lake County received 24 inches of snow during this blizzard. As residents try to clean up from this storm and remove snow around their properties, it's important to remember to take appropriate health and safety precautions. Avoid Overexertion Shoveling snow, pushing a car, or walking in deep snow can cause overexertion, which can lead to heart attacks. Please use extreme caution when shoveling snow, especially if you are not in good physical condition. The National Weather Service reports that immediately following the blizzard of 1999, more than 40 people died from heart attacks while shoveling snow. If you become breathless, stop shoveling, go indoors and warm up before continuing. Frostbite
Frostbite initially occurs in the nose, ears, fingers and toes, and can happen at any temperature below 32 degrees. Frostbitten skin is whitish, stiff, and feels numb. Children are especially susceptible to frostbite because they overlook their discomfort. To prevent frostbite, wear hats, scarves, or masks to cover the face, and several layers of clothing to trap body heat. To treat frostbitten skin, do not rub the area, since friction can cause further skin damage. Warm the affected parts of the body with warm water for 20 to 40 minutes. Wrap the frostbitten area in blankets. Hypothermia
Be aware that sweating may lead to extreme chill and potentially hypothermia. This can be fatal if not detected, and treated properly. It occurs when the body temperature drops to 95 degrees, or below. The most common victims of hypothermia are older individuals. Symptoms include shivering, drowsiness, slurred speech, hallucinations and slow and shallow breathing. Also, be aware of the added effect of wind chill. |
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Winter Storm Links and Information | |
Current National Weather Service regional forecast
You can check the closing status of County facilities the following ways:
Online: http://www.emergencyclosingcenter.com/complete.html
Search for the facility by typing the name and city, or by the main phone number 847-377-2000.
Call: 847-238-1234 from a touch-tone phone and enter the main phone number of the facility, 847-377-2000.
Email: Sign up for e-mail notifications at www.emergencyclosings.com.
Tune in to: WGN Radio 720-AM, WBBM Radio 780-AM or watch CBS Ch. 2, NBC Ch. 5, ABC Ch. 7, FOX 32, WGN-TV or CLTV
Please note: Elected Officials may independently decide to close their offices.
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